Empower Your Birth Experience

Birth is not something to get through — it’s an experience to be held in.

With compassionate doula care and evidence-based childbirth education, I’m here to help you feel grounded, supported, and confident.

Based in Northfield, MN — proudly supporting families in the South Metro & Twin Cities

Rooted in Compassion, Expertise, and Your Unique Story

Every birth is different — and so is every family. Golden Hour Birth Services was created with the belief that true support meets you exactly where you are, honoring your story, your needs, and your vision for birth. With over five years of experience and more than 125 families supported, I bring a wealth of experience to this work. I’ve walked alongside parents through many different pathways to parenthood — from first births to IVF journeys, high-risk pregnancies to water births, single parents to surrogates, and everything in between.

This range of experience allows me to offer a steady, grounded presence in every birth space, weaving together compassion, flexibility, and professional expertise. My role isn’t just to show up on the big day — it’s to help you build a strong foundation beforehand, so when labor begins, you feel calm, confident, and truly held.

“i believe deeply in birth — not the glossy, filtered version, but the full, honest truth of it. the magic, and the mess. the power, the surrender, the humor and the healing. birth isn’t one-sized-fits-all, and neither is the way i support it.”

— Kat Stangler, CD(DONA), CBE, FSD

  • Birth Doula Support

    Physical, emotional and informational birth support— holding your hands, hips, and heart through every step of labor.

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  • Circles, Workshops & Childbirth Education

    Virtual and in-person pregnancy and postpartum circles, childbirth education classes, and holistic workshops designed to support, connect, and empower you through every stage of your journey.

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  • Postpartum Rituals

    Restore, nurture, and care for yourself with postpartum healing sessions for your mind, body, and spirit.

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The Difference a Doula Makes

A doula is a trained professional who provides continuous physical, emotional, and informational support during pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. But did you know the impact of a doula is backed by research? Studies show that having a doula by your side during childbirth can:

  • 39% Reduction in Cesarean Births

  • 15% Increase in Spontaneous Vaginal Births

  • 10% Reduction in Use of Pain Medication

  • Shorter Labors (by an average of 41 minutes)

  • 31% Increase in Birth Satisfaction

  • Other potential benefits include a lower need for interventions like Pitocin, a higher likelihood of successful breastfeeding initiation, and a reduced risk of postpartum mood disorders (here).

From the Hearts of Families

  • I recently gave birth to our third child, and I was so lucky to have Kat by my side before, during, and after delivery! She is extremely knowledgeable, warm, and professional. Kat asked great questions to really get to know what my ideal birth looked like during our prenatal appointments and was such a strong advocate for me during delivery. I truly believe she was a HUGE part of me having such a positive birth story!

    Jenna H.

  • Without a doubt, hiring Kat to be our doula was one of the best decisions we made for our birth. After a difficult delivery and recovery with our first we decided to do what we should have done the first time around and hire a doula. After interviewing three different ones, Kat’s holistic and data informed answers, along with a clear passion for her work made her a clear fit for what we were looking for in a doula.

    Katie T.

  • Highly highly recommend! The level of physical and mental support Kat provided my partner and myself, I don’t know where to begin.. As a first time parent, she provided a lot of guidance throughout my pregnancy and helped my partner and I prepare for what to expect pre and postpartum. Kat is amazing at what she does. She’s attentive, empathetic, and a joy to be around!

    Parisa L.

  • I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kat. She ensured I had the birth that I wanted every step of the way. Her presence was calming and comforting. I know that I would not have had the same experience without her!

    Lyssa G.

  • We are so thankful for Kat’s unwavering support, and we highly recommend her to anyone looking for a doula who is not only knowledgeable and professional but also incredibly compassionate and dedicated to ensuring you feel heard and empowered throughout your journey.

    Julia K.

  • Kat was a wonderful doula. She was deeply attentive to our physical, mental, and emotional needs throughout pregnancy, birth, and postpartum. She asked us thoughtful questions, listened carefully, and gave us information to help us make our own educated decisions.

    Kate S.

  • I cannot recommend Kat as a doula enough. Each step of the way, she gave the most incredible advice, encouragement and guidance. I was able to get the reassurance throughout pregnancy that I was doing all the right things and she was also able to help us really focus our birth plan and determine what was important to us and how to advocate for ourselves.

    Kirsten K.

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What makes my support unique isn’t just the years of experience — it’s the way I walk alongside you with compassion, intention, and respect for your story. Here’s what you can expect when we work together:

  • Comprehensive Prenatal Visits
    We go far beyond a checklist or “birth plan.” Together, we dive into your body, mind, and spirit — unpacking fears, building confidence, and uncovering what truly matters to you.

  • Evidence-Based Support
    As a certified childbirth educator, I bring the most up-to-date, research-based information into our conversations. You’ll feel equipped to make choices that are informed, grounded, and right for you.

  • Advocacy + Confidence Building
    I’ll help you find your voice, build confidence in your intuition, and practice ways to communicate with your care team so you feel seen, heard, and respected in every decision.

  • Curated Resources + Referrals
    You’ll receive trusted referrals and hand-picked resources in your personalized guidebook — supporting you from the first trimester through postpartum.

  • Professional Collaboration
    I bring a calm, professional presence into every birth space and work collaboratively with all types of care teams. This ensures you feel fully supported while also maintaining harmony in your environment.

  • Care Without Agenda
    Your birth is yours. My role isn’t to push a preference — it’s to support your informed decisions, free of judgment. As long as you have the information you need, I’ll stand beside you every step of the way.

  • Postpartum Support
    As a trained postpartum doula, I extend my care beyond the birth itself. Our visits can include newborn feeding support, processing your birth story, and tending to your healing and emotional needs during this tender transition.

Choosing a doula is deeply personal — you deserve someone who not only shows up on the big day, but who walks alongside you with intention, knowledge, and heart

What Sets This Care Apart

Am I The Right Doula For You?

Your experience with a doula is built on a strong personal connection. Before making a decision, an in-depth video call allows us to get to know each other, discuss your needs, and determine if we’re the right fit!

Follow My Journey

✨ 5 Things to Avoid in Early Labor ✨ Early labor isn’t the time to rush, time every contraction, or forget to take care of yourself. It’s a time to settle in, conserve energy, and let your body do its thing. Here are 5 common mistakes to
Your Partner’s Role in Birth 🤍✨ One of my core values as a doula is working with your partner, not around them. They are your anchor—offering safety, stability, and the kind of support only they can provide. But in labor, you shouldn&rs
Limited Spring Birth Spots Available! 🌿✨ Building deep connections with the families I support is at the heart of my work. Whether you’re birthing at home, a birth center, or a hospital, my care is personalized, holistic, and centered around
✨ Testimonial Tuesday! ✨ I absolutely loved supporting this incredible family! 💛 What started as simply enjoying their company quickly turned into deep admiration for their resilience, dedication, and unwavering strength throughout their birth jour
✨ Testimonial Tuesday! ✨ Forever in awe of the strength and resilience of this magical Christmas birth. 🎄✨ Birth has a way of taking unexpected twists and turns, but through it all, you met each moment with courage, grace, and unwavering power. 💫❤
Candles 🕯️ and aromatherapy 🌿 aren’t just for the cozy vibes and pleasant scents—they can be powerful tools for creating a safe, supportive environment. By personalizing the space with smells, sounds, and lighting, we can help someone f
Float through labor, embrace the calm, and let the water carry you to your baby. 🌊✨ Indescribable strength in surrender. 💪 The January and February chills brought on many heartwarming labors, many of which were supported by soothing waters. 💙 #W
…It’s March 1st!! 🪺 ✨🌸Spring Availability! 🌸✨ March - FULLY BOOKED 🙌 April - 1 Birth Available 🌱 May - 2 Births Available 🌷 Those lil’ spring babies are coming in hot! 🔥 I’ve got just a few remaining spots left if y
Learning I was pregnant 6 weeks after giving birth to my daughter was definitely not on my postpartum bingo card. 🙈 I won’t lie—looking back, although I was incredibly excited, it was a hard time. Like, really hard. 🤍 When I think abou
Four pots of boiling water on the stove, hip squeezes in the kitchen, doula dogs on standby, lavender and clary sage filling the air... this scene holds such a special place in my heart, as does the incredible mama I had the honor of supporting. 🥹💖
Did you know that immediate skin-to-skin after birth does so much more than create a beautiful bonding moment? It helps regulate your baby’s temperature, heart rate, and breathing, while also calming your nervous system, helping reduce postpart
What does self-care look like for a doula? 😴 Sometimes, it’s a long nap after a marathon birth. 🛁 Other days, it’s a nice bath. 🌊 And sometimes… it’s sailing away on a tropical cruise with other incredible women to rechar

Begin Your Journey, Today!